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SECTION ACRUX: MAR COMM
MORSE CODE
Morse Code, either of two systems for
representing letters of the alphabet, numerals,
and punctuation marks by an arrangement of
dots, dashes, and spaces. The codes are
transmitted as electrical pulses of varied lengths
or analogous mechanical or visual signals, such
as flashing lights. 
 BRIEF HISTORY
Developed in the 1830s and 1840s by Samuel Morse (1791-1872) and other inventors, the
telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication. It worked by transmitting
electrical signals over a wire laid between stations. In addition to helping invent the
telegraph, Samuel Morse developed a code (bearing his name) that assigned a set of dots
and dashes to each letter of the English alphabet and allowed for the simple transmission
of complex messages across telegraph lines.
In 1844, Morse sent his first telegraph message, from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore,
Maryland; by 1866, a telegraph line had been laid across the Atlantic Ocean from the U.S.
to Europe. Although the telegraph had fallen out of widespread use by the start of the 21st
century, replaced by the telephone, fax machine and Internet, it laid the groundwork for
the communications revolution that led to those later innovations.
APPLICATIONS
Safety at sea has always been a priority for seamen and shippers.
Distress alerts at sea caused by the blind forces of Mother Nature or,
more commonly, by human factors have occurred over many
centuries, as seafarers often set sail with inadequate information
about their course, navigation and weather conditions. Until the late
nineteenth century, only audio and visual transfers of information
from point to point were used.
 From then on, however, new methods, such as news and information
via wire and then by radio communications systems, were introduced.
So long as safety standards are met, it is also important to test
innovations and technology transfer to develop devices that are more
reliable than mobile radio communications.
HOW DOES IT WORK? 
 SHIPS REPORTING SYSTEM
 1. Chapter V Regulation 11 ( Ship Reporting Sytems) of 1974 SOLAS

Ship reporting systems contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation, and
protection of the marine environment. A ship reporting system, when adopted and implemented in
accordance with the guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization** pursuant to this
regulation, shall be used by all ships, or certain categories of ships or ships carrying certain cargoes
in accordance with the provisions of each system so adopted.
 GMDSS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE AND SHIP
REPORTING SYSTEM
A Distress Alert indicates that a mobile unit or person is threatened
by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
This Alert has absolute priority over all other transmissions. Distress
Alert may be a DSC transmitted by terrestrial communications (MF,
HF or VHF), a Distress Message format transmitted by Inmarsat
communications or a Distress Call transmitted by voice.

The signal from an activated satellite EPIRB is also regarded as a

Distress Alert.
Distress Alerts
The Distress Alert must provide the identification of the ship in distress and its
position and may also contain information regarding the nature of the distress, the
type of assistance required, the course and speed of the ship, the time that this
information was recorded and any other information which might facilitate rescue.

A ship’s operator receiving a Distress Alert must, as soon as possible, inform the
Master or person responsible for the safety of the ship of the contents of the Distress
Alert.

Any station receiving a distress alert must immediately cease any transmission
capable of interfering with distress traffic.
 GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SHIP REPORTING
AND REPORTING OF INCIDENTS

 1. General Principles
 reports should contain only information essential to achieve the objectives of the system;
 the number of report should be kept to a minimum
 the establishment and operation of a ship reporting system should take into account
 2. Guidelines for Reporting Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods
 The intent of these Guidelines and those contained in the appendix is to enable coastal States
and other interested parties to be informed without delay when any incident occurs involving the
loss, or likely loss, overboard of packaged dangerous goods into the sea.
 Guidelines for Reporting Incidents Involving Harmful Substances and/or Marine Pollutants
 The intent of these Guidelines and those contained in the appendix is to enable coastal States
and other interested parties to be informed without delay of any incident giving rise to pollution,
or threat of pollution, of the marine environment, as well as of assistance and salvage measures,
so that appropriate action may be taken.
 3. International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue

The Convention then goes on to establish preparatory measures which should be taken, including
the establishment of rescue co-ordination centres and subcentres. It outlines operating procedures
to be followed in the event of emergencies or alerts and during SAR operations. This includes the
designation of an on-scene commander and his duties.
EXAMPLE OF A SHIP REPORTING SYSTEM